Mary Dean Goodman Watkins, age 87, of Echola, AL passed away April 7, 2023 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Monday, April 10, 2023 at Dunn's Creek Baptist Church with Bro. Randall Lynn and Bro. Glen Kennedy officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Horace Watkins; her parents; brother, Joe Lee Goodman and three sisters, Dessie Cornealius, Dullie Rainey and Loretta Goodman.

Survivors include her daughter, Renee Patton (Billy); three sons, Phillip Watkins (Janice), Lindsey Watkins (Lisa) and Joseph H. Watkins (Paula); nine grandchildren, April Redd (Josh), Thomas Watkins, Jacob Watkins, Victoria Wright, Lesli White (Dusty), Kaila Sullivan (Cody), Lauryn Roll (Bryan), Lola Watkins and Beau Watkins; eight great-grandchildren, Samuel Redd, Nathan Redd, Paul Redd, Robin Gee, Julianna Wright, Lorelei White, Tyr White, Caleb Sullivan and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mary was born January 19, 1936 in Speeds Mill, Alabama to the late Lee Goodman and Mamie Lindsey Goodman. She was a homemaker and a member of Union Free Will Baptist Church and Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Our Mother was sassy, spunky, and full of life - even to the very end. She would have us rolling with laughter, sometimes to tears. We would often ask Mother to "keep it calm" whenever out and about because many people did not fully understand her spirited personality. She would say "well,  they'll learn," and that they did - everywhere she went. People loved her for making them laugh and lightening their day. Mother's graduating class would have their reunion once a year and they always wanted to make sure that mother was there because she was the life of the party! Bringing others joy was truly her gift from God.

One of Mother's favorite hobbies was caring for her many flowers and the other, shopping! Her yard (and her closet) proved her love for beautiful things. Anytime you saw Mother, you would likely see her perfectly fixed snow-white hair, glamorous clip-ons and fashionable suits! She also enjoyed going fishing, feeding and watching her birds, and just being outside in  God's beautiful creation.

Most of all you could see Mother's love for Jesus and her family. She followed God's directions in Matthew 22:37-39, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself." She was a  great example of loving God and others. The love that she showed our Daddy, us children and grandchildren was unmatched. We are so thankful that we had a Godly Mother and Father who loved us unconditionally and prayed for us daily. They not only taught us about Jesus and His love but lived it out in their lives as an example for all of us to follow.  For that, we are truly blessed.

Pallbearers will be Thomas Watkins, Jacob Watkins, Beau Watkins, Josh Redd, Cody Sullivan, Bryan Roll and Dusty White.

Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Keith DeBell, nursing staff at DCH 6th South and caregiver, Lois McGraw.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Gideon's International, Pickens Co. Camp, P.O. Box 287, Carrollton, AL 35447.